Katherine Freund is well aware of the complexity of the transportation problem confronting the nation – and particularly rural states such as Maine – as an estimated 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day in the U.S.

Lack of public transit, limited pools of taxpayer dollars and senior citizens’ reluctance to “burden” anyone else are a few of the challenges communities face as they struggle to help older residents who either cannot or should not get behind the wheel.

Westporter Peggy Kamins, long committed to social activism in Westport and surrounding communities, is the inaugural recipient of a national award known as the John Alexander Award for Leadership and Excellence from ITNAmerica, a national organization that offers independent, dignified transportation for senior citizens.

The local chapter of the national network is known as ITNCoastalCT which serves seniors and the visually impaired in six local towns, including Westport. Since 2008, Kamins was drawn to the concept of helping seniors stay independent for as long as possible in their homes where they can age in place with grace and dignity aided by volunteer drivers who could alleviate the many problems that surface when it is no longer possible to drive one’s own car safely.